Line-composing and type-casting machine.



S. E. SPHERE.

LINE COMPOSING AND TYPE css'rme MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAE. 28, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

WITNESSES:

,a karzaczzi W7 I s. E. SPERRY. LINE COMPOSINEAND TIPS CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JAN. 28, 1913.

Patented 7311.5, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2,

W VENTOR 1 WI?" ATTORINIE WITNESSES:

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S. E. SPERRY.

LINE COMPOSING AND TYPE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN,28,1913.

1,124,180, Patented Jan.5,1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET 3.

. INVENTQR BY AZZWGRNEY WITNESSES:

S. E. SPERRY.

LINE comrosme AND 'ljYPE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1913.

0 BHBETS-SHEET 4.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

WITH ESSES S. E. SPERRY.

LINE GOMPOSING AND TYPE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1913.

Patented Jan.5,1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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(IR N Y wimEssEs S. E. SPERRY.

LINE COMPOSERS AND TYPE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATmN FILED JAN. 28, 1013.

9 l 809 Pgtented Jan. 5, 1915 8 SHBBTS-SHEBT 8.

WH NESSES! WWENTUR W" ,cfzziizavs 25 mg m4 p azl A y y W mwi 453% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL E. SPERRY, OF WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL TYPESETTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINE-COMPOSING AND TYPE-CASTING MACHINE.

Application filed January 28, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL E. SPERRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Voodhaven, in the count of Queens and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Line- Composing and T ype-Casting Machines, of which the follov' ng is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in line composing and type casting machines, and more particularly to those of the well known linotype class. In the operation of such machines, the slugs which are cast to make up a column of type for printing are usually of one length, but it happens fre quently that the type characters only partially fill the line at the end of a paragraph or on other occasions, Heretofore, it has been the practice to fill the remainder of the line with blank matrices or quads rior to presentation of the line to the mold in order to enable the slug to be cast.

The primary object of the present invention is to avoid the necessity of settin such blank matrices into the line, the blanfr portion of the line, according to the present invention, being formed automatically irrespective of variations in the length of the blank portion, and this is accom lished without requiring manipulation of t 1e keyboard.

To this end, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations, and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features of the invention being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanyim drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a line composing and type casting machine showing the assembling elevator constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 represents a horizontal section through the assembling elevator on an enlarged scale and showim means for preventing displacement of the matrices therein; Fig. 3 represents a transverse vertical section through the assembling elevator; Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the first elevator equipped with a stop which adjusts itself automaticallyaccording to the length of the line of matrices introduced therein; Fig. 5 represents a vertical section through Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915.

Serial No. 744,717.

the upper portion of the first elevator as viewed from the front and showing the transfer slide; Fig. 6 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the first elevator, and the vise; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a portion of the first elevator; Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the first elevator and vise frame in vertical section and illustrating the mode of operation of these parts; Fig. 9 is an elevation of the vise as viewed from the rear, the first elevator being in its lowered or casting position.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

In the present instance, the invention is shown and will be described in connection with a line composing and type casting machine of the well known linotype class, but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted necessarily to machines of that class and that equivalent constructions may be employed for those shown. In machines of the linotype class, the matrices are delivered from the magazine by manipulation oi the keyboard, and these matrices are assembled in a line in an assembling elevator l. The assembling elevator shown is similar to that generally used in linotype machines, with the exception that it is provided with means for preventing turning 01 other displacement of the matrices while a line of matrices is being carried by this elevator to the line delivery mechanism. For this purpose, a pressure bar '2 is employed, this bar being set in one wall of the matrix channel of the elevator and is pivoted to this elevator at 3. A spring 4t operates to press the bar inwardly with a yielding pressure and this inward movement of the bar under the influence of the spring is limited by a headed or shouldered pin or screw 5 which may be secured to the pressure bar and may operate through the front wall of the as semhling elevator. The matrices are asscmbled in this elevator against a linger (3, this finger being attached to a slide 7 and the function of this finger is to prevent falling down or other displacement of the first matrix in the line. A finger 8 projects downwardly from the slide or carriage which conveys the line of matrices from the assembling elevator when the latter has lwell raised to the first elevator which latter transfers the line of matrices to the casting position, and when a full line of matrices is assembled in the assembling elevator, the finger 6 against which the matrices are assembled will occupy a position substantially in line with the depending finger 8 and, hence, this de ending finger in such cases will prevent displacement of the foremost matrix in the line during the rising of the assembling elevator. However, when only a fraction of the number of matrices necessary to fill out a line is assembled in the assembling elevator, the depending finger 8 will not be in a position to prevent displacement of such matrices during the upward movement of the assembling elevator, and such displacement of the matrices composing a fraction or part of a line is prevented by the pressure bar 2 which has been described above, this pressure bar efi'ectively retaining the matrices in proper position irrespective of the number thereof, thereby preventing falling down or displacement of the first matrices in the line after the latter has been lifted above the finger 6 and before the same has been secured by the line delivery slide or carriage. This pressure bar preferably occupies an angular position whereby its free end will be inclined inwardly with respect to the matrix passage, this arrangement of the pressure bar causing it to engage and hold frictionally the foremost matrix in the line as will appear from Fig. 2. Not only will this pressure bar prevent displacement of the matrices while the assembling elevator is rising, but it will also keep the matrices in correct position while the line is being conveyed through the matrix channel of the assembling elevator to the finger 8 of the line delivery slide or carriage. Therefore, the operator may set matrices to compose only two or three words, a single word, or even a single letter and then raise the assembling elevator, whereupon the usual delivery mechanism will convey the matrices from the assembling elevator and to the first elevator. The first elevator in the construction shown embodies a vertically movable slide 9 having an overhanging head the top of which carries a pair of opposed jaws 10, these jaws being spaced to provide a matrix channel between them, and a block 11 is usually employed to secure these jaws in proper spaced relation. Heretofore it has con the custom to employ a stop against which the line of matrices abuts when introduced into this first elevator. In the present instance, however, where the lines of matrices will vary greatly in length, a movable stop is preferabl employed which will adjust itself automatically according to the len th of each line. In the present-instance, employ a line stop or abutment of the type shown and described fully in a copending application of H. A. Armstrong,

Serial No. 740,250, filed January 4, 1913, reference being made to that application for a full disclosure of the details thereof. It may be described briefly as embodyin' a pair of opposed members 12 which are siidable in the matrix channel between the jaws and carrying a slidable bar 13 which is provided with a projection 1%, the latter providing means for resetting the line stop after the removal of each line of matrices from the first elevator.

After the first elevator has received a line of matrices, it descends and thereby conveys the matrices to the casting position. As the line of matrices approaches the casting position, it enters a space provided between the right and left-hand jaws 15 and 16 of the vise which serves to confine the line of matrices in an endwise direction during the casting operation. The rearmost matrix at the right-hand end of the line will descend substantially in alinement with the righthand vise jaw 15.

According to the present invention, means is provided whereby the vise will adjust itself automatically to accommodate lines of varying lengths. An example of such means is shown in the present instance, reference being bad particularly to Figs. (3-9 inclusive, wherein the vise frame has a plunger 17 mounted to reciprocate vertically therein, this plunger acting on a compression spring 18 which latter acts upon a socket 19, the socket preferably containing and guiding the spring and plunger. The lower end of the socket is pivotally connected at 520 to the short arm of a bell-crank lever 21, this bell-crank lever being pivoted to the vise frame, and the long arm thereof is operatively connected by a link 22 to the vise jaw 15. This vise jaw is movable in a direction toward and from the companion vise jaw 16 whereby it may be set according to the length of the line. The first elevator slide 8 carries a finger or arm 23 which is adapted to occupy a position to engage the upper end of the plunger 17 and thereby force the latter downwardly during the latter portion of the descending movement of the first elevator. This occurs immediately after the line of matrices has entered the vise suiiicicntly to be acted on by the vise jaw 15. As the descending movement of the first elevator con tinues after the arm or finger 23 has engaged the top of the plunger 17, a corresponding downward movement will be imparted to the plunger 17, this movement being transmitted from the plunger through the spring 18 to the socket 19 and the latter will act to rock the bell-crank lever 21 and thereby cause the link 22 to move the vise jaw 15 toward the companion vise jaw 10, thereby moving the line of matrices to the left and against the jaw 10. When the vise jaw comes to a stop, any further descent of the first elevator will compress the spring 18, the vise being therefore adjusted auto matically according to the length of the line without interfering with the operation of the first elevator. The finger or arm 23 is brought into operation only in those cases where the number of matrices used will only partially fill the line, and suitable means is provided for rendering the plunger 17 inoperative when desired. In the present instance, the head of the first elevator is provided with an opening 24 which is in alinement with the plunger 17 and will permit a clear passage of the plunger without actu ation thereof, except when the finger or arm 23 is brought into a position to cover this opening. n the present instance, the finger or arm :23 is attached to a shaft 25 which extends through the head of the first elevator and is provided with a handle 26 which affords means for setting the arm 23 in operative or inoperative positions, as desired, the two ositions of this device being shown by the otted and full lines in Fig. 7.

It is customary to employ wedge-shaped spacers which are forced upwardly and expanded in order to justify the line of matrices while confined between the vise jaws, these spacers being introduced between the words. According to the present invention, it is unnecessary to use these wedge-shaped or tapered spacers where the matrices will only partially fill the line, as blank matrices could be used as spacers. The present invention provides, however, for the use of the usual wedge-shaped spacers in the setting up of lines. These wedge spacers in the usual operation of machines of this class are driven up and expanded by a justifier bar 27 which is connected to the upper ends of a pair of vertically movable rods 28, the latter being lifted automatically and by spring pressure. The same justifying mechanism may be used for forcing up and expanding the wedge spacers where the matrices only partially fill the line, although means is provided for limiting or controlling the operation of the justifying mechanisin in order to prevent undue expansion of the spacers which would otherwise occur due to the fact that the vise jaws confine the matrices by spring pressure only. In the construction shown, the automatically movable vise jaw 15 is provided with a limiting lug or projection 29 which, during the normal operation of the machine with full lines of matrices, will occupy a position clear of the justifier bar 27, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 9, and will move over.

into a position to be engaged by the justifier bar'where the matrices only partially fill the line, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 9. This limiting lug or projection will therefore prevent movement of the justifier bar beyond a predetermined limit and, hence. will avoid undue expansion of the wedge spacers which would result in unduly spacing the words. The positioning of this limiting lug is automatic, it moving with the vise jaw 15 when the latter is caused to approach the companion vise jaw to clamp the short line of matrices, the limiting lug being thereby carried over and into the path of the justifier bar 27 and will limit the upward movement of this bar and, hence, the spacers will be expanded to a normal degree and will provide spaces of the proper width between the words in the line.

That face of the automatically movable vise jaw 15 adjacent to the mouth of the metal pot is smooth, and when this jaw has been adjusted automatically to clamp the relatively short line of matrices, the casting operation may be performed and that portion of the slug opposite to the matrices will be cast with type faces while the remainder of the slug which is blank will be cast against the face of the vise jaw 15, this automatically adjustable vise jaw serving to quad the blank portion of the line. After the casting operatlon, the first elevator embodying the slide 9 rises, as in the usual operation of machines of this class, the matrices being thereby lifted from a position between the vise jaws and are conveyed to an upper position where they are transferred to the distributing mechanism, the first elevator being shown in its uppermost or transfer position by the full lines in Fig. 5 and by the dotted lines in Fig. 8. Means is provided which insures restoration of the adjustable vise jaw 15 to normal open position after each casting operation in order that the vise jaws may receive a fulllength line of matrices between them. Such means in the present instance consists of a cam track 30 which is formed on the rear side of the slide 9 forming part of the first elevator, this cam truck cooperating with a roller or rojection 31 carried by the short arm of a ell-crank lever 32, this bell-crank lever being pivoted on a pin 33 attached to the vise frame, and the bell-crank is )1O- vided with a roller or projection 34 wi bears against the lower end of the vertically movable socket member 19. The cam track 30 is so shaped that it will permit descent of the socket member 19 under the influence of the plunger 1?, spring 18, and arm 23 when the elevator slide is at or adjacent to its lower position, and as the slide of the elevator rises, this track will tilt the bellcrank lever and thereby lift the member 19.

This member 19 is connected to the bellcrank lever 21 which latter is connected hv the link 22 to the movable vise jaw 1.) nnil rising of the member 1.) will retract or open the vise jaw 15 as the elevator slide rises, and the cam track is so shaped that it will iich retain the movable vise jaw in its normal open position at all times, except when the e evator approaches its lower position.

When the first elevator reaches its uppermost position, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 5 and the dotted lines in Fig. 8, the matrices are transferred to the distributing mechanism. For this ur ose, a transfer slide 35 is employed w ie is slidable, as usual, in the frame 36. This slide, however, is provided in the present instance with a pusher 37 which is U-shaped and operates to engage and carry the line of matrices and spacers out of the first elevator and into position for distribution. The transfer slide 35 is also utilized to reset the line stop in the first elevator preparatory to the reception of each line of matrices. For this pur- JOSE, the transfer slide is provided with a 100k 38 which cotiperates with the lug or projection 1-1: on the slidable line stop, each movement of the transfer slide to remove a line of matrices from the first elevator serv ing to reset the line stop in normal osition adjacent to the matrix-receiving en of the elevator whereby this stop may adjust itself zli utomatically according to the length of the According to the present invention, the blank portion of a line can be quadded automatically without the delay and other objections incident to the old method of filling out the blank )ortion of the line with blank matrices, an means is provided for preventing dropping or displacement of the matrices while the same are in the assembling and first elevators, and for correctly justifying the fractional lines of matrices. Also, the mechanism which adjusts the movable vise jaw to conform to the shortlength line of matrices resets said vise jaw automatically and with certainty after each casting operation in order that the vise will properly receive a full-length line of matrices. The vise-adjusting mechanism is under the control of a device which is adjustable at will whereby the operator may set the machine to qua the line automatically. or cause the line to be justified in the usual way.

I claim as my invention 1. In a machine of the linotype class, the combination of a mold, a vise having jaws to confine matrices between them, one of said jaws being movable to accommodate shortlength lines of matrices and to correspondingly cover and close the mold, a first elevator operative to present a line of matrices to the mold, and means connected to and actuated by said elevator for effecting such movement yieldingly and automatically.

2. In a line casting machine, the combination of a mold, a vise cotiperative therewith embodying jaws to confine matrices positioned before the mold, one of said jaws being movable to accommodate lines of matrices shorter than lines of regular length and to correspondingly close the mold, an elevator operative to introduce a line of matrices between said jaws, and yieldable means connected to and actuated by said elevator as the latter introduces a line of matrices between the jaws for automatically moving said jaw to accommodate shortlength lines and for restoring the jaw to accommodate full-length lines.

3. In a line casting machine, the combination of a mold, means operative to present lines of matrices thereto, a vise embodying a pair of jaws adapted to confine the lines of matrices before the mold, one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw to accommodate a short-length line of matrices, and means embodying a spring-resisted plunger actuated by the operation of said matrix-presenting means for effecting such movement of the jaw and permitting normal operation of the matrix-presenting means irrespective of the length of the line of matrices.

4. In a line casting machine, the combination of a mold, an elevator for presenting lines of matrices to the mold, a vise embodying a pair of jaws for confining each line of matrices before the mold, one of said jaws being movable toward the other jaw to accommodate short-length lines of matrices and to correspondingly close the mold cavity. and means embodying a spring-pressed plunger actuated by said elevator for effecting such movement of the jaw by a yielding action to automatically accommodate lines of different lengths and permitting normal operation of the elevator.

In a machine of the linotype class, the combination of a mold, a vise having jaws to confine matrices between them, one of said jaws being movable to accommodate short-length lines of matrices and to correspondingly cover and close the mold, an elevator for presenting matrices to the mold, means actuated by power derived from said elevator for effecting such movement automatically, and a device adjustable at will to control the operation of said means.

(5. In a line casting machine, the combination of a mold, an elevator operative to receive lines of matrices and to position them before the mold, a vise embodying a pair of jaws for confining each line of matrices before the mold. one of said jaws being movable toward the other jaw to accommodate short-length lines of matrices, a plunger operative by said elevator and having a yieldable connection with said movable jaw to adjust the latter according to the length of the line and to correspondingly close the mold cavity, and means operative by the elevator for restoring the movable jaw to normal position to receive full-length lines.

7. In a linotype machine, the combination with the first elevator and the mold, of a vise having a. pair of jaws, one of which is adapted to confine one end of a line of mat- 5 rices and to be moved to partly or wholly cover the mold cavity, and means operated by the first elevator for moving said jaw, said means including a spring through which the movement is transmitted and which allows the elevator to continue its 1 travel after the jaw has been stopped.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL E. SPERRY. Witnesses:

O. C. Hmn, R. W. HELLON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained to: five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner or Patent;

Washington. D. 0. 

